BBQ for you! August brings a pile of barbecue happenings in Montgomery and Alabama

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·4 min read

It's that time of year when folks just go hog wild with barbecue. Whether you want to learn the secret arts of good BBQ, break out the grill and cook it at home, or go somewhere to sit down and eat a ton of it, we've got you covered in August with events and celebrations in Montgomery and throughout the state.

BBQ Ribs Masterclass at BBQ Hill

  • Date: Aug. 12, 3-7 p.m.

  • Location: Bama-Q TV BBQ Hill, 11775 Troy Highway, Pike Road

  • Info: Class includes smoking methods, baby back and St. Louis spare ribs, fire management, winning flavor profiles, balancing and layering flavors, full rib prep multiple ways, three award winning side dishes, basics of wood, pellet and charcoal use. There’s cooking demonstrations and tastings, and snacks are included. Course is by John Lindsey, a nationally ranked steak champion, multiple time BBQ and steak grand champion, and a regular on Bama-Q TV.

  • Cost: General admission is $100 per person.

  • Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bbq-ribs-masterclass-at-bbq-hill-tickets-675525213097

John Lindsey is teaching the art of barbecue on Aug. 12 in Pike Road.
John Lindsey is teaching the art of barbecue on Aug. 12 in Pike Road.

End of Summer BBQ Bash

Plates will be filling up with barbecue and sides during several BBQ events across Montgomery and Alabama.
Plates will be filling up with barbecue and sides during several BBQ events across Montgomery and Alabama.

Sage Health Grand Opening Celebration

  • Date: Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • Location: Sage Health, 2948 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery

  • Info: Enjoy treats and a BBQ lunch. Play a round of bingo. Door prizes to be awarded. Tour the center and meet the care team — primary care, cardiology, and wellness for seniors. Learn more at https://sage.health/

  • RSVP: 334-694-2262

4th annual Midtown YMCA Tailgate BBQ Cook Off

Montgomery Fire/Rescue mans the grill at the 2022 Midtown YMCA Tailgate BBQ Cookoff.
Montgomery Fire/Rescue mans the grill at the 2022 Midtown YMCA Tailgate BBQ Cookoff.

  • Date: Aug. 19, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

  • Location: Midtown YMCA, 3455 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery

  • Info: Lots of barbecue, plus a cornhole competition, football toss, and a kids play zone. YMCA members and nonmembers welcome. You can bring your grill and register to enter.  More info online at https://ymcamontgomery.org/event/midtown-ymca-tailgate-bbq-cook-off-2/

  • Cost: $10 per person, $5 for ages 10 and under.

6th annual Hot Days of Summer

Guests will pack the Union Station Train Shed at Hog Days of Summer BBQ & Music Festival in downtown Montgomery on Aug. 26.
Guests will pack the Union Station Train Shed at Hog Days of Summer BBQ & Music Festival in downtown Montgomery on Aug. 26.

  • Date: Aug. 26, 2 p.m.

  • Location: Union Station Train Shed, 210 Water St., Montgomery

  • Info: Day packed with live music from Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Drivin N Cryin, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and Southern Avenue. There’s fresh, award-winning barbecue from around the Southeast that will be sold separately from admission. Activities for the whole family. It’s a fundraiser for River Region families battling pediatric cancer. Some seating available, but lawn chairs are welcome.

  • Cost: General admission tickets are $40 online in August, and $45 day of show at gate. Military, police, firefighters, EMS, and students are $30 (must have valid ID). Children 12 and under are free. VIP is $250, and includes complimentary food, private VIP area, private restrooms, private cash bar.

  • Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sixth-annual-hog-days-of-summer-tickets-652466634267

More Alabama BBQ

For folks who don’t mind driving a bit for some really good barbecue:

  • Aug. 4 & 5: Smoke in the Outfield Festival — Toyota Field, 500 Trash Panda Way, Madison. Amateur cook teams gather at the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball team. VIP opening night celebration is Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5, festival is noon to 5 p.m. Food, live entertainment. More info: https://www.milb.com/rocket-city/news/2023-smoke-in-the-outfield-bbq-festival

  • Aug. 19: The BBQ — Flamingo Park, 279 Stone St., Madison. Free event starting a noon. The Psi Kappa Kappa Chapter, a Omega Psi Phi Fraternity invites everyone to celebrate with them during their chapter anniversary. There is no cost to attend. Reserve your spot online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bbq-tickets-661109324787

  • Aug. 19: Rocket City Blues and BBQ Festival — The Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive NW, Huntsville, from 1-8 p.m. It’s an outdoor festival with BBQ eateries, live music and local vendors. General admission tickets are $25 at https://theorionhuntsville.com/

  • Aug. 26: Smoke On the Water BBQ Fest — Lincoln’s Landing Tournament Fishing Park, 740 Travis Drive, Lincoln. This is a free, first-time event open to the public. It’s 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with a BBQ cookoff, live music, food and drinks, car show, corn hole tournament, vendors, door prizes, kids zone and more. https://www.smokeonthewaterbbqfestal.com/

  • Aug. 26: Moma Tina’s Mission House Backyard BBQ — 605 N. Alice St., Dothan, starting at 2 p.m. A celebration of 17 years of community service. Enter to win a Grill Master or cash prize. For more info call 334-714-3482 or 334-699-6886.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: August brings a pile of barbecue happenings in Montgomery and Alabama